*socaltech.com <http://socaltech.com> TechNews - Friday, January 25, 2019* Edited by Benjamin F. Kuo ISSN: 1524-6736 http://www.socaltech.com/News ------------------------------
*Sponsored By * TVC Capital LLC (www.tvccapital.com) Investments and acquisitions of growing software companies. Silicon Valley Bank (http://www.svb.com). Make next happen now. Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP (http://www.stubbsalderton.com). Business. Technology. Law. Vision. PricewaterhouseCoopers (http://www.socaltech.com/pwc). Key info (http://www.keyinfo.com) infrastructure ~ connectivity ~ co-location ~ cloud ------------------------------ *Headlines * - SpaceX Completes Static Fire Testing On Crew Dragon <#m_6117355662521741542_0077162> - Two Bit Circus Expands Interactive Shows, Experiences <#m_6117355662521741542_0077161> - Freebird Expands Safe Ride Service To Private Parties <#m_6117355662521741542_0077160> - Interlink Electronics Abandons Nasdaq <#m_6117355662521741542_0077159> - March Capital Partners Raises Second Fund, Worth $300M <#m_6117355662521741542_0077158> - TaskUs Continues Rapid Growth, Hits 15,000 Employees <#m_6117355662521741542_0077156> - Anaheim Debuts Its Own On-Demand, Mini, EV Transit System <#m_6117355662521741542_0077155> - Plankk Launches New Streaming Fitness Service <#m_6117355662521741542_0077154> - Wheels Enters Last Mile Transportation Fray With $37M <#m_6117355662521741542_0077147> - Modulated Imaging Finds $7M For Tissue Health Assessment <#m_6117355662521741542_0077148> *Marketplace* - Peak - Facilitated Annual Leadership Team Planning for Emerging Companies by Collective Genius <#m_6117355662521741542_ad741> - Square 1 Bank <#m_6117355662521741542_ad695> - Stubbs Alderton & Markiles Preccelerator <#m_6117355662521741542_ad694> - Stradling <#m_6117355662521741542_ad608> *Friday, January 25, 2019* *Support Our News Coverage - Become A Member Today! <http://www.socaltech.com/Membership>* We often get asked--how do we pay for our news coverage and our publishing efforts? That's simple -- it's a combination of our sponsors and YOU. How can YOU make sure you continue to get news on Southern California's technology industry? By becoming a member of socaltech! Not only do you get to support our news coverage, but you also get access to our big database of Southern California companies, venture investors, service providers, and deal information, and many other resources. We are relying on YOU! Join today at http://www.socaltech.com/Membership *SpaceX Completes Static Fire Testing On Crew Dragon* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077162.html> Hawthorne-based SpaceX has moved one step closer to launching its first Crew Dragon into space, saying on Thursday that it has completed a "static firing" test for a planned February launch. The test--conducted at Cape Canaveral at Launch Complex 39A--is a step along the way to what will be the first demonstration flight for the new SpaceX spacecraft. SpaceX is hoping to prove out the design for NASA for its own space capsule, to deliver U.S. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077162.html>) *Two Bit Circus Expands Interactive Shows, Experiences* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077161.html> Los Angeles-based Two Bit Circus, which operates its own "micro-amusement park" featuring immersive technology and entertainment experiences, says it has launched a number of new immersive experiences and interactive shows to its program. The company says it is creating an "ever-changing" experience for its park goers. The company said the new features include "mystery puzzles", a feature on science storytelling, a "music meetup" series, and more. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077161.html>) *Freebird Expands Safe Ride Service To Private Parties* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077160.html> Los Angeles-based Freebird, a startup which allows bars and restaurants to offer rewards and cash back to encourage users to use Uber and Lyft rides rather than drive themselves home, said Friday morning that it has launched its safe ride servie to and from privately hosted parties. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077160.html>) *Interlink Electronics Abandons Nasdaq* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077159.html> Westlake Village-based electronics developer Interlink Electronics said late Thursday that it plans to voluntarily delist its stock from the Nasdaq Stock Market, and deregister its common stock. According to Interlink--which currently is listed on the NASDAQ as LINK--the move will help it "accelerate long-term profitable growth", and help it reduce its cost structure, including the costs of being Nasdaq listed and an SEC reporting company. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077159.html>) *March Capital Partners Raises Second Fund, Worth $300M* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077158.html> Santa Monica-based venture investor March Capital Partners said on Thursday afternoon that it has raised a second fund, worth $300M. According to March, its new Fund II includes both existing and new investors. The fund is larger than the firm's first fund, which was worth $240M. March Capital said it is looking to invest in AI in the enterprise, industrial IoT and infrastructure, next-gen consumer technologies, and growth in India, plus in esports and gaming. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077158.html>) *TaskUs Continues Rapid Growth, Hits 15,000 Employees* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077156.html> Santa Monica-based business process outsourcing provider TaskUs, which provides customer service/experience, business processing, and other services to companies like Tinder, Hootsuite, and Mailchimp, has hit 15,000 employees, as it continues its rapid growth. According to the company, it nearly doubled its number of employees in the past year, and saw 120 percent revenue growth. TaskUs CEO Bryce Maddock said in a statement that 2018 was the best year in the company's history. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077156.html>) *Anaheim Debuts Its Own On-Demand, Mini, EV Transit System* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077155.html> The City of Anaheim and Anaheim Resort Transportation are jumping on the on-demand and electric vehicle bandwagon, saying on Thursday that it has launched a brand new "microtransit" system, which uses smartphone apps and small electric vehicles to transport residents around its Center City area. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077155.html>) *Plankk Launches New Streaming Fitness Service* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077154.html> Los Angeles-based Plankk, a developer of custom apps for the fitness and exercise industry, said it has launched a brand new, live- and on-demand streaming service for fitness enthusiasts. According to Plankk, its new service, Plankk Studio, let users access both live and on-demand workout videos from a large roster of fitness influencers. According to the company, the new service lets users join live-streamed fitness classes, interact with favorite trainers, access on-demand workouts, and more. ( More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077154.html>) *Wheels Enters Last Mile Transportation Fray With $37M* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077147.html> A new, Los Angeles-based startup, Wheels--founded by the founders of dog walking marketplace Wag--has jumped into the crowded "last mile" transportation fray, saying it has raised $37M and launched its services in San Diego. The startup, which offers up dockless, electric bicycles to customers, said the funding round came from Tenaya Capital, Bullpen Capital, Crosscut Capital, 3L Capital, Naval Ravikant, and a number of strategic investors from the entertainment and sports communities. (Funding Details <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/index.php?action=showdeal&id=95158> )(More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077147.html>) *Modulated Imaging Finds $7M For Tissue Health Assessment* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077148.html> Irvine-based Modulated Imaging, a developer of optical imaging products used for noninvasive assessment of tissue health, has raised $7M in a Series B funding, according to the company. The new funding was led by Pangaea Ventures and also included Fresenius Medical Care Ventures GmbH, Grey Sky Venture Partners, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co. Ltd and Fouse KK. ( More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0077148.html>) *Peak - Facilitated Annual Leadership Team Planning for Emerging Companies by Collective Genius <https://collective-genius.com/getting-to-peak/>* If you wanted to reach the peak of Mount Everest, you wouldn’t just gather a few friends, buy some supplies, and start hiking. Similar to building a growth company, you wouldn’t just hire a few people, build some products, and win a market. Peak is a facilitated annual leadership team planning session for emerging growth companies. It's a one day leadership team session to create company focus and clarity around a three year vision, one year plan, and quarterly priorities. With the vision and plan set, Peak provides leadership tools and systems to keep the team on track. To learn more contact us to schedule a 45 minute walk through at [email protected] or 1.424.259.3036. Collective Genius - Leadership Planning and Recruiting for Emerging Growth Companies. http://www.collective-genius.com. *Square 1 Bank <http://www.square1bank.com>* Square 1 Bank is a division of Pacific Western Bank, a Los Angeles-based commercial bank with over $21 billion in assets. A full service financial services partner to entrepreneurs and their investors, Square 1 provides clients flexible resources and attentive service to help their companies grow. Square 1 offers a broad range of venture debt, treasury and cash management solutions through offices in top innovation centers: Atlanta, Austin, the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Durham, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, San Diego, Seattle and Washington, DC. Pacific Western Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PacWest Bancorp (NASDAQ:PACW). For more information, visit www.square1bank.com, or send an email to [email protected]. *Stubbs Alderton & Markiles Preccelerator <http://stubbsalderton.com/preccelerator/>* Accelerating Growth for Early Stage Innovation The Preccelerator® Program is a platform offered to select start-up companies out of the Santa Monica office of Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP that provides interim office space, sophisticated legal services, mentorship and access to a strategic perks portfolio with the objective of helping you grow your idea from business concept to funded startup. The Preccelerator® Program provides these benefits to as many as 10 promising young startups in separate growth tracks. http://stubbsalderton.com/preccelerator/ *Stradling <http://www.sycr.com>* Stradling, Attorneys At Law (<a href="http://www.sycr.com";>http://www.sycr.com) Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth (“Stradling”) is a premier business law firm with over 125 attorneys and 10 offices in the western US. The offices are: Newport Beach, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, San Diego, San Francisco - SOMA, San Francisco - Financial District, Sacramento, Reno, Denver, Seattle. The Firm’s corporate, litigation and public law practices are well known for their expertise and depth. Stradling's clients include emerging and high growth public and private companies as well as private equity funds, venture capital groups and their respective portfolio companies. Widely recognized for its expertise, responsiveness and outstanding client service, the Firm's size, structure, and culture allow it to provide the highest quality representation while maintaining the responsiveness and relationships commonly associated with smaller firms. ------------------------------ *Recent Funding <#m_6117355662521741542_funding>* 1/24/19 Wheels <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=95158> Los Angeles $37.00 M 1/24/19 Modulated Imaging <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=95159> Irvine $7.00 M 1/22/19 REX <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=95135> Woodland Hills $45.00 M 1/14/19 Wiliot <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=95066> San Diego $30.00 M 1/03/19 Forge Therapeutics <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=94796> San Diego $11.10 M 1/03/19 Verily <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=94814> South San Francisco $1000.00 M 12/20/18 AvantStay <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=94684> Los Angeles $5.00 M 12/20/18 Cloud Constellation Corporation <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=94795> Los Angeles $100.00 M 12/19/18 NantCell, Inc. <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=94876> Culver City $30.00 M 12/19/18 Elementary Robotics <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=94682> Los Angeles $3.60 M 12/18/18 Seismic <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=94681> Solana Beach $100.00 M 12/13/18 Procore Technologies <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=94564> Carpinteria $75.00 M 12/13/18 Akero Therapeutics <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=94565> South San Francisco $70.00 M 12/13/18 Vyng <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=94563> Los Angeles $4.00 M ------------------------------ *Upcoming Events* Submit your events at least two weeks in advance to: http://www.socaltech.com/submitevent.html January 26, Pasadena -- *Big Data: Today's Supernova of Information and Opportunity* Big Data: Today's Supernova of Information and Opportunity. Caltech Entrepreneurs Forum. Big Data has exploded and engulfed us all and has led to a technology and business revolution. Every website, email, SMS text, mouse click, download, and Internet of Things (IoT), sensor input now predicts epidemics, calculates risk, understands consumer behavior and formulates public policies. Entrepreneurs are pursuing these Big Data opportunities in what is becoming the 21st century equivalent of the gold rush. Our speakers will share their views on the opportunities and challenges entrepreneurs face in building these new ventures, and give a clearer view of what's coming our way. Keynote Speaker: Gil Elbaz, Founder & CEO of Factual Inc, Co-Founder of Applied Semantics; Wes Nichols, Board Partner, Upfront Ventures; Dominique (Mike) Hanssens, Distinguished Research Professor of Marketing, UCLA Anderson Graduate School. Producer/Moderator: Stan Tomsic, Managing Director, Magna Point Group. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26322 January 26, Pasadena -- *Big Data: Today'ss Supernova of Information and Opportunity* *NEW* . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26326 January 28, San Luis Obispo -- *Escape from Technology? SMV TechBrew* *NEW* . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26331 January 31, Los Angeles -- *Growth Capital Conference* Growth Capital Conference. Pitch to & Network with Investors: Angels,VCs, High Net Worths, Strategic Partners and 100 entrepreneurs seeking capital & counsel. DEAL DISPLAYtm showcases growing firms needing capital. View products, videos, online demos. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26313 January 31, San Diego -- *Preparing Your Company for Sale* Preparing Your Company for Sale. CONNECT. Whether you are acquiring a company or looking to merge your company with another, there are significant operational, practical and legal steps you should take to ensure that your company maintains its value and remains an attractive partner through the transaction. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls in what promises to be a lively discussion among industry veterans from the technology, biotechnology and manufacturing industries. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26295 February 4, Los Angeles -- *Digital Entertainment World 2019* Digital Entertainment World 2019. Described by Hollywood insiders, digital influencers and industry leaders throughout the world as a "must-attend" event, now in its 6th year Digital Entertainment World (DEW) is where you want to be if you are in the business of creating or monetizing digital entertainment content. DEW 2019 focuses on "The Power of Creativity and Influence" and will cover topics from OTT to Innovation to eSports to Millennials to Content Marketing to VR/AR to Music Rights to Startups, etc., as this theme guides all talks, discussions, meetings and presentations over the two days. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26290 February 5, Los Angeles -- *Digital Entertainment World 2019* Digital Entertainment World 2019. Described by Hollywood insiders, digital influencers and industry leaders throughout the world as a "must-attend" event, now in its 6th year Digital Entertainment World (DEW) is where you want to be if you are in the business of creating or monetizing digital entertainment content. DEW 2019 focuses on "The Power of Creativity and Influence" and will cover topics from OTT to Innovation to eSports to Millennials to Content Marketing to VR/AR to Music Rights to Startups, etc., as this theme guides all talks, discussions, meetings and presentations over the two days. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26291 February 6, Santa Monica -- *State of the City, Economic Sustainability Summit 2019: Shaping A Changing World | Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce* *NEW* . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26327 February 12, San Diego -- *Reverse Mergers Into Public Shells* *NEW* . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26330 February 12, Los Angeles -- *Mobile LAVA Presents: Marketplaces* *NEW* . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26324 February 12, Santa Monica -- *Start-Up Options for Rapid Development, Funding, and Commercialization* *NEW* . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26325 ------------------------------ *Recent Job Postings * More jobs at http://www.socaltech.com/Jobs ------------------------------ ------------------------------ *Sponsored By * TVC Capital LLC (www.tvccapital.com) Investments and acquisitions of growing software companies. Silicon Valley Bank (http://www.svb.com). Make next happen now. Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP (http://www.stubbsalderton.com). Business. Technology. Law. Vision. PricewaterhouseCoopers (http://www.socaltech.com/pwc). Key info (http://www.keyinfo.com) infrastructure ~ connectivity ~ co-location ~ cloud Singer Lewak (http://www.singerlewak.com) Accounting and Consulting for Growing and Innovative Businesses Email [email protected] for more information about sponsoring this newsletter. ------------------------------ You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the socalTECH.com TechNews from our web site, or otherwise requested a subscription. 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